Progressive illuminating means



Nov. 8, 1949 Lu w s 2,487,714

PROGRES S IVE. ILLUMINAT ING MEANS Filed June 23, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

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PROGRESSIVE ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed June 23, 1947' I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v I N VE ]v"TOR. Leozzamiiiuaugsen;

Patented Nov. 8, 1949 PROGRESSIVE ILLUMINATING MEANS Leonard E. Ludvigsen, Los Angeles, Calif., as-

signor to Mega Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application June 23, 1947, Serial No. 756,439

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in progressive illuminating means.

More particularly the present invention relates to installations employing gaseous tubes which may be illuminated when supplied with electric current. One or more of such tubes may be employed in the practice of the present invention for illumination progressing from point to point and repeating itself cyclically.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved progressive illuminating means embodying mechanism which is sturdy and not likely to get out of order.

A further object is to provide progressive i1- luminating means employing hot cathode tubes which illuminating means are certain in operation and avoid the necessity for excessively high voltages.

A further object is to provide progressive illuminating means well adapted to meet the needs of commercial service.

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds:

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating a system embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a detail of construction;

Figure 3 illustrates diagrammatically a resonant and holding relay employed in the system illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 illustrates diagrammatically another type of resonant and holding relay employed in the system illustrated in Figure 1.

According to the present invention, a plurality of gaseous tubes may be employed such, for example, as those indicated by the numerals H, l2 and I3. Each of said tubes is provided with a cathode M which may be heated from a source of electric current. Within each of said tubes ll, l2 and I3 is a contact assembly indicated generally by the numeral 15. Each of the contact assemblies l5l5 includes a group of anodes indicated by the numerals l6, l1, l8 and i9- spaced along the length of the corresponding tube. Also included in each tube is an end anode 251. Each contact assembly I?) and the end anode 20 may be supported interiorly of the corresponding tube by any preferred means. Each of the anodes l6, ll, I8 and I9 is carried by a support 2! (Figure 2) and is provided with the movable electric contact 22. The anodes it, ii and I8 are each adapted to have electrical connection with the next succeeding anode through the contact 22, which is biased into engagement with the relatively fixed contact 23, electrically connected to the next su ceeding anode. Each anode is connected to'its corresponding electrical contact 22 though a swinging arm 24 which carries a small mass of magnetic material indicated by the numeral 25.

Disposed in proximity to each of the masses of magnetic material 25 is a resonant coil 26 carried by a support 2?. Each of the resonant coils 26 is adjustable whereby to respond selectively to a predetermined frequency, and for providing such adjustability each coil 26 is provided with a movable core 28, the amount of insertion of the core 28 into the coil 21 being selectable by means of the finger grip 28'. To facilitate adjustment, the shank of the core 23 may have threaded engagement with the support 2l. It will be understood that the frequency at which each particular coil 26 will respond may be chosen within relatively wide limits by the operator by adjustment of the core 28 within the coil 28.

The system disclosed in Figure l. employs plurality of relays 29, 30 and Si, which for convenience of description, may be referred to as resonant and holding relays. Each of said re lays 29, 3D and 3i may be set at the will of the operator to respond to a predetermined frequency and to remain in operated condition as long as current is passing through the particular tube controlled by that particular resonant and holding relay.

Figure 3 illustrates one of the resonant and holding relays 29, 36 or 3|. This relay is illustrated as having an approximately U--shaped field structure indicated by the numeral 32 and with the pivoted armature 32'. Said armature 32' carries a contact member 33 adapted to engage the stationary contact member 3 Said armature 32 is biased as, for example, by the spring 35 to a position wherein the contact 33 engages the contact 3 3. Each of the relays 29, 30 and 3| is provided with a pair of coils, one indicated by the numeral 36, being a resonant coil responsive to a predetermined frequency. The other coil, indicated by the numeral 31, is a holding coil for maintaining the relay in operated position whereby to hold the contact out of engagement with the contact 34. The adjustment of the resonant coil 36 may be accomplished by adjusting the core 38 within said coil 35, this adjustment being facilitated by a screw driver slot 38 in one end of the core 38.

(Jo-operating with the resonant and holding relays 29, 30 and 3! are other resonant and holding relays 39, 40 and 4|, the salient features of which are illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 4. Each of the resonant and holding relays 35, 40 and 4| is provided with an approximately U- shaped field structure indicated by the numeral and with the swinging armature 43. Said armature 43 carries a pair of electrical contacts 44 and 45. Said armature 43 is biased as, for example, by a spring 46 into a position wherein the contact member 44 engages a relatively fixed contact 41 and wherein the contact 45 engages a relatively fixed contact 48. When said armature is in magnetized condition, said contact member 44 is moved into engagement with the relatively fixed contact 49 and the contact member 45 is moved into engagement with the relatively fixed contact 50, which contact 50 is a dead contact. A resonant coil is provided, the functions of which may be varied by adjustment of the movable core 52, and the frequency at which the resonant coil 5| will respond may be chosen by varying the position of said core 52. The numeral 53 indicates a holding coil for holding the armature 43 in its attracted position so long as current is passing through said holding coil.

Proceeding now with a description of the system illustrated in Figure 1, the numerals 5l-5i indicate the two sides of a source of alternating current electrical supply controlled by means of the switch 52. Said supply lines 5|-5| are connected to the conductors 53-53 across which are connected the terminals of a self-starting alternating current motor 54 which motor 54 is adapted to swing a contact arm 55 along a segment 56 which may extend throughout part of the circumference of a circle. Said motor 54 is also adapted to move the core 51 relative to a frequency changer 58.

Also connected across the conductors 53-53 is the primary 59 of a transformer 50. Said transformer 60 is provided with the secondary 6 I adapted to supply the full wave rectifying tube 62. Said transformer 69 is also provided with the secondary 63 for providing heating current for I the tube 62. Said transformer 69 may be provided with other secondaries for heating other tubes in the system.

The frequency changer 58 is connected across the oscillator tube 64 which through the transformer 65 supplies oscillations to the push-pull amplifier 66. Said push-pull amplifier 65 through the transformer 61 delivers alternating impulses to the conductors 68-68 across which are connected the resonant relays 26-26 which, as stated above, are adjustable to respond to predetermined frequencies. Inasmuch as the frequency in the alternations in the conductors 58-68 varies with the position of the core 51 in the frequency changer 58, the resonant relays 26-26 may bev adjusted to respond cyclically in response to Variations in the position of the core 51 relative to the frequency changer 58.

Also connected across the conductors 53-53 is the primary 69 of a transformer it! having a plurality of secondaries ll, 12 and (3 connected respectively to supply heating current to the cathodes I4 of the tubes ll, l2 and l3.

According to the disclosure chosen for illustration one uni-directional power source, indicated by the numeral 14, is provided for supplying current to tubes and l2 and a separate unidirectional power source, indicated by the numeral 15, is provided for supplying current to the tube |3. The power source 14 is provided with a transformer 76, the primary of which is adapted to be connected through the switch arm 55 and the segment 56 across the conductors 53-53. Uni-directional power source 15 is provided with a transformer ".l', the primary of which is also adapted to be connected through the switch arm 55 and the segment 53 across the conductors 53-53. Each of said uni-directional power sources 14 and 15 is provided with a full Wave rectifying assembly, indicated by the numerals l8 and 19, respectively, and each provides pulsating uni-directional current as indicated by the plus and minus signs adjacent thereto.

When the resonant and holding relays 23, 35, 3|, 39, 40 and 4| are in their biased positions, that is, with the armatures thereof spaced from the field structures thereof, each of the uni-di rectional power sources 14 and 15 will be shortcircuited. In other words, a by-pass circuit is provided for each of the tubes, said by-pass circuit having contact members adapted selectably to control the passage of current past or to the tubes. For example, the uni-directional power source 14 is connected through the positive lead thereof to the fixed contact 34 of the relay 33, through the armature 32' thereof to the movable contact 45 of relay 40 to the contact 48 thereof (electrically connected to the cathode I5 of tube l2) to the relatively fixed contact 34 of the relay 29, thence through the armature 32' thereof to the movable contact 45 of the relay 39 to the contact 48 thereof (electrically connected to the cathode l5 of tube I), thence to the negative side of the uni-directional power source 14. The uni-directional power source 15 is short circuited through the following circuit: from the positive lead thereof to the fixed contact 34 of the relay 3| through the armature 32 thereof to the movable contact 45 of the relay 4| through the contact 48 thereof (electrically connected to the cathode I6 of tube l3) back to the negative side of the uni-directional power source 15.

When the operator desires to set the system into operation, he will close the switch 52, energizing the conductors 53-53 and the self-starting motor 54. The arm 55 may be in any position throughout its circumferential range of movement and the core 51 will be in a corresponding position, depending upon the position of these instrumentalities when the system had previously been shut down.

For simplicity of explanation, the cyclic operation of the system may be assumed to start at a moment when the arm 55 is out of contact with the segment 56 and the core 51 is in a position to cause the frequency changer 58 to develop a relatively low frequency at which none of the resonant coils will respond. Operation of the motor 54 will bring the arm 55 into electrical contact with the segment 56 and will cause the frequency changer 58 to develop a frequency at which the relay 29 will respond, causing the resonant coil thereof to attract the armature 32', breaking engagement between the contacts 33 and 34 of said relay 29. This action will interrupt the short-circuit across the uni-direc tional power source 74 and current will now pass from the positive side of the uni-directional power source 14 through contact 34 of relay 3% through armature 32 thereof through the contacts 45 and 43 of relay 48 through contacts 44 and 41 of relay 39 through the holding coil 31 of the relay 29 through the contact assembly l5 of tube H to the anode l6 thereof adjacent to the oathode M of said tube. Inasmuch as the cathodes l4l4 in each of the tubes will be heated by current from the transformer 69, current will flow between said anode l6 and the cathode M in tube H producing a glow in this part of tube H, which glow will be maintained by reason of the fact that the holding coil 3'] of the relay 29 maintains said relay its attracted position, thereby maintaining the circuit just traced.

As the frequency changer 58 is operated further by the motor 54, the frequency impressed across the conductors 68- 158 will be changed and the relay 29 will no longer be responsive to the frequency being developed but the holding coil thereof, being energized, will hold said relay in its unbiased or attracted position. It may be assumed that the next relay to respond is that relay 26 which controls the connection of anode l5 of the tube I. When a frequency is developed across the conductors ta-cs at which the last mentioned relay will respond, the mass of metal 25 connected to the arm 24 associated with said anode 16 will be attracted, breaking circuit between the corresponding contacts 22 and 23 (Figure 2) whereby current in the contact assembly i5 in passing to the cathode M in tube H must pass from the anode H in said tube, resulting in a glow in said tube between anode I! and cathode M. As the relays 26-46 associated with the anodes l1 and I8 respond to the frequencies developed across the conductors 68-68, the glow will progress until it resides between the anode l9 and the cathode M in the tube H.

The next relay to respond to frequency changes is the relay 39 which will move its contacts 44 P and 45 out of engagement with the contacts 41 and 48 and into engagement with the contact 49 and the dead contact 56, respectively. This action disconnects electrode assembly iii of the tube II and at the same time passes current L from the uni-directional source M through the contacts 3 3 and 33 of relay ac to the movable contact 45 of relay .0 through the contact 48 to the contact 44 of relay 39 through the contact 49 and holding coil 53 of relay 39 to the anode 2!] in tube H. The tube ll will now glow throughout its length.

As the frequency changer proceeds in its action, the next relay to respond is the resonant and holding relay so. The progression of illumination along the tube l2 will occur as the frequency developed by the frequency changer 58 varies in the same manner as described in connection with tube H until tubes H and l2 will be illuminated throughout their lengths.

The next relay to respond to changes in frequency is the relay 3i which will be operative, when energized, to start the progression of illumination of the tube 13 from the uni-directional power source in like manner to that described in connection with tube ll.

After all of the relays have been operated to accomplish the complete illumination of all of the tubes in the system, the arm 55 will pass out of electric engagement with the segment 56 and the core iii. will be withdrawn from. operative position in the frequency changer 58 and the parts will be restored to their positions for restarting the cycle.

This cyclic operation will continue as lon as the switch 52 is maintained in closed position.

When it is desired to discontinue operation of the system, it is necessary only to open the switch 52 at which time the entire system will be de-energized. Upon closure of the switch 52 the progression of illumination will start from the point at which the switch 52 has been opened.

Though a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a tube provided with a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, switch means connecting said anodes together and means responsive to changes in electrical frequency for controlling said switch means for selectably charging said anodes.

2. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced therealong, a contact assembly in said tube, switch means adapted to control the connections between said anodes, conducting means for delivering current to said contact assembly and electrical frequency responsive means for controlling said switch means.

3. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a tube provided with a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, means including switch means separably connecting said anodes to one another, electrical frequency responsive means for controlling said switch means and conducting means for delivering current to said anodes and switch means.

4. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a tube provided with a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, electrical conducting means connecting said anodes to one another, means for delivering current to said anodes and connecting means, electromagnetic means for controlling said connecting means, by-pass means adapted selectively to bypass said tube or to deliver current to said tube, and means responsive to predetermined frequencies for controlling said by-pass means and for controlling said electromagnetic means for progressively opening said connecting means for controlling discharge from said anodes in progression.

5. In combination, a tube having a cathode and anodes spaced along said tube, electrical conducting means connecting said anodes to one another, means for delivering current to said anodes and connecting means, by-pass means adapted selectably to by-pass said tube or to deliver current to said tube and relay means selectably responsive to different electrical frequencies for controlling said by-pass means and said connecting means to cause discharge from said anodes in progression.

6. In combination, a tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, separable contacts connecting said anodes, means for delivering current to said anodes and said contacts, magnetic means for controlling said contacts, said magnetic means being selectably responsive to different electrical frequencies.

'7. In combination, a tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, separable contacts connecting said anodes, means for delivering current to said anodes and said contacts, magnetic means for controlling said contacts, said magnetic means being selectably responsive to different electrical frequencies, bypass means adapted selectably to by-pass said tube or to deliver current to said tube and relay means responsive to predetermined electrical frequencies for controlling said by-pass means and for maintaining said by-pass means in controlled condition while current is flowing in said tube.

8. In combination, a tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, contact means connecting said anodes, conducting means for delivering current to said anodes and said contact means, magnetic means disposed exteriorly of said tube for controlling said contact means, a by-pass circuit disposed exteriorly of said tube and containing contacts controlling the passage of current selectably to or in by-passing relationship with said tube, said magnetic means being selectably responsive to predetermined electrical frequencies, said magnetic means being adapted selectably to open said by-pass circuit and said contact means.

9. In combination, a tube having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced along said tube, contact means connecting said anodes, magnetic means disposed exteriorly of said tube for controlling said contact means, a by-pass circuit dis-- posed exteriorly of said tube and containing contacts controlling passage of current selectably to or in by-passing relationship with said tube, said magnetic means being selectably responsive to predetermined electrical frequencies and relay means responsive to predetermined electrical frequencies for breaking circuit through said bypass circuit and for maintaining said short-circuiting means in broken circuit condition as long as current is passing from one of said anodes to said cathode.

10. In a progressive illuminating system, in combination, a plurality of tubes each having a cathode and a plurality of anodes spaced therealong, a by-pass circuit for each of said tubes, said anodes in each of said tubes being connected together by contact means, magnetic means selectably responsive to predetermined frequencies for controlling said contact means and relay means selectably responsive to predetermined electrical frequencies for open-circuiting each of said by-pass circuits and for maintaining said by-pass circuit in open-circuit condition while current is flowing in its corresponding tube and for connecting the end anode in one tube to the cathode in the next succeeding tube.

LEONARD E. LUDVIGSEN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Goldstein July 20, 1943 Number 

